FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
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STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
John L. Winn
Commissioner of Education
F. PHILIP HANDY,
Chairman
T. WILLARD FAIR,
Vice Chairman
Members
DONNA G. CALLAWAY
ROBERTO MARTÍNEZ
PHOEBE RAULERSON
KATHLEEN SHANAHAN
LINDA K. TAYLOR
INCREASING THE QUANTITY AND IMPROVING THE
QUALITY OF EDUCATIONAL OPTIONS
February 15, 2006
CONTACT PERSON
Name:
Monica Brown
M E M O R A N D U M
Phone:
(850) 245-0502
Suncom:
205-0502
TO:
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District School Superintendents
Email:
Monica.Brown@fldoe.org
FROM:
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Virginia Gentles, Executive Director
Independent Education and Parental Choice
SUBJECT:
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Parent Notification of the McKay Scholarship Option
The Department of Education is working to increase the quantity and improve the quality of education
options for students and parents, and school districts play a key role in this effort.
As you know, school districts are required by statute to inform parents of eligible students of their option
to use a McKay Scholarship for their child to attend a private school or a public school of choice within
their home district (Section 1002.39(3), Florida Statutes). Since school districts vary in notification
approaches, we have attached a short form for you to complete identifying your method(s) and timeline of
notification. Also, attached are template letters, in multiple languages, that you may consider using to
notify your parents of eligible students.
It is strongly recommended that parental notification in your district be completed in a timely manner to
allow parents sufficient time to file a parental intent by the July 3, 2006, deadline. Please fax the
completed District Parent Notification Report to our office
no later than Wednesday, June 7, 2006
.
Thank you for your attention to this important issue.
VG
Attachments
cc:
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District McKay Scholarship Contacts
District
ESE
Directors
Assistant Superintendents for Instruction